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Late Night Grub Helps UC Grow Beard

I have something in common with UC sophomore Camaron
Beard:Both of us spent our college years
chowing down late at night.

In my case, the motivation was a combination of
gluttony and procrastination.I would
put off my studies and happily trek from Syracuse University's Watson Hall
dormitory to the nearby Wimpy Wagon food truck where I would indulge my
late-night craving for a "cheese jaw."

(The
cheese jaw was basically two extremely greasy cheeseburgers sitting
side-by-side on a toasted sub roll.I
would give a year's salary for one right now).

In Camaron Beard's case, the late-night feasts are not
delaying his schoolwork and are much healthier than mine were as he tries to
become a dominant defense tackle at the college level.

"I was probably about 235 pounds when I committed to
UC in high school, so I've definitely packed on a few pounds - I'm around
275-280 now," Beard told me."Me and teammate
Eric Lefeld would wake up in the middle of the night and eat peanut butter and
jelly sandwiches.That was our
secret.We had to eat regularly to keep
our weight up.At times we even set an
alarm.I've definitely gone up a couple
of sizes in clothes."

The Bearcats are hoping that bigger clothes will
help Beard fill gigantic shoes - he and Jordan Stepp are expected to replace tackles
Derek Wolfe and John Hughes in UC's starting lineup.

"They are big shoes to fill, but if there's anyone
capable of doing it, it's Camaron Beard," said head coach Butch Jones."I like what I've seen so far."

"What separates John and Derek from Cam is their FBI
- their football intelligence," said defensive line coach Steve Stripling."They kind of knew if it was run or pass
before the play and Camaron is getting to that point.I'm going to tell you this - he's a treat to
coach because he has a great attitude, never says 'boo,' and is a wonderful kid
from a wonderful family."

Derek Wolfe will be especially difficult for
Cincinnati to replace.Last year Wolfe was
the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big East as he led the conference
and ranked fifth nationally in tackles for loss (21.5) and tied for 16th
in the nation in sacks (9.5).

"Watching Derek was definitely a great learning
experience," said Beard."He really
taught me how to play and set the standard for how the position should be
played.When you watch him on film, you
see how physical he is.I just want my
play to replicate that."

"Camaron is a big body and has a great frame," said
Coach Stripling."I think he's going to
continue to grow and be a Wolfe-style player.He's been in the program for two years and right now, I'm really excited
that he's here.We put kids in high
pressure situations today and some guys get the 'big eyes' on their face, but
he doesn't.He's maturing and I'm really
excited about it."

At 6'5", Beard is just as tall as Wolfe and gives
the Bearcats a commanding presence in the middle of the defensive line.

"I originally came here as a defensive end, but I
feel like I am a tackle at heart now," said Beard."I like being in the trenches and I wouldn't
have it any other way."

"People don't appreciate the life of a tackle," said
Coach Stripling."You get two
300-pounders banging on you on every play.That can wear you out, and the coaches are still yelling 'run to the
ball.'To me, defensive tackles have the
tough world in football."

It is a tough job, but at least Beard gets to reward
himself with those late night PB & J sandwiches.

"It's helped me play the position better," said
Beard."I couldn't play inside at 250
pounds."

"I'll tell you what, he's one of the most improved
players this spring," said Coach Jones."I love his mentality and his work ethic, and I'm very excited to see
where he is come August."